Althorp service to remember Diana
A memorial service to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, will take place in the Northamptonshire church which serves her childhood home at Althorp.
The service will be held at St Mary's Church in Great Brington and has been organised to give members of the local community, and staff of the Althorp House estate, a chance to reflect on the life of the princess.
Three candles, representing Diana's gift of love and the heritage she left, and the frailty of human life, will be lit during the memorial, which will take place on Friday, August 31.
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Rector of the Spencer Benefice, the Revd Chris Goble, will be conducting the ceremony. He said: "Many lives changed when the Princess of Wales died in that tragic accident.
"Life in the community at Althorp and this church changed. Since then we have been offering a ministry of welcome, trying to bring a Christian message and a place of sanctuary to the thousands of visitors to Althorp and to St Mary's.
"On August 31 our doors will be open wide to those who want to come for whatever reason, to attend the service or to sit and reflect on this poignant occasion."
Diana's brother Earl Spencer will be represented by Althorp estate director Edward Crookes, and the Bishop of Brixworth, the Rt Revd Frank White, will also attend.
The service was compiled by Sam Dobbs, director of music of the Spencer Benefice Choir. He said: "We are not setting out to beatify or venerate the late Princess, but to reflect on aspects of her life and contribution from which we can learn and be enriched."
Doors for the memorial open at 6.30pm, but refreshments will be available for those who arrive during the afternoon.
Pre-booked and invited guests will also be going to Althorp on the day itself, the first time outsiders have been allowed into the Spencer family home on the actual anniversary of her death.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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